Dungeons 4 Closed Beta Happening This Month

If there is one thing that is missing in the hyperfocused development of “retro” games to make some of us nostalgic, it has to be the dungeon management genre. The days of Dungeon Keeper are dead after EA did that mobile nonsense, and though a few try to keep the genre alive with the likes of War for the Overworlds, there is another doing something fun with its tongue firmly planted in cheek. Developed by German studio Realmforge, the Dungeons series stands out by focusing on a story, referencing plenty of fantasy, often with eye-rolling self-awareness.

Now ahead of a fourth installment after the success of Dungeons 3 in 2017, it seems publisher Kalypso Media wants to get player feedback before the release later this year. With applications now open, you have until Sunday, January 15th, to sign up for a chance to join the closed beta taking place between January 24th and February 7th. Taking place on Steam (Windows only) and the Microsoft PC Store, you’ll join the Dark Elf Thalya once again in the quest to take on the ultimate power of evil and fight off those dwarves demanding their share of the underworld.

The press release states: “In Dungeons 4, the Absolute Evil’s quest is not yet complete, and with Thalya the dark elf sorcerer still by his side, it’s time to continue spreading chaos and destruction – this time with Dwarves.” In the new installment, “players can control even more despicable creatures in even larger dungeons. Raise a devious army of orcs, succubae, zombies[,] and other cruel creatures, all ready to cast corruption across the overworld.” Once again send your minions of miserliness to spread your reign of ultimate evil through the under and overworld, just be aware of rival dwarves setting up their own dungeons of unicorn farts and color.

Don’t get ideas of this being the full version of the game, though Dungeons 4 will creep out of the darkness later this year, it is only a short campaign you’ll be playing. The final part of the press release notes, “Take on the 20-mission long, fully narrated campaign, or use two-player co-op multiplayer to double the destruction and manage your dungeon with a fellow evil friend. Did we mention the Dwarves?” Yes, it’s once again narrated by the wonderful Kevan Brighting, probably best known as the narrator of The Stanley Parable, as well as Void Bastards, and the voice of the Bank in “Time Heist.”

Dungeons 4 is expected to release at some point later this year on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, and PS5.